Farmer Jack awards $50,000 to local schools

Published 7:00 pm, Saturday, November 13, 2004

During the month of November, Farmer Jack Food Market will award $50,000 in prize money to local elementary schools in Michigan and the Toledo area. The prize money is being awarded in conjunction with the Farmer Jack in-store Halloween Trick or Treat Sweepstakes.

"The cash awards are Farmer Jack's effort to give back to the communities which we serve," said Maria F. Ward, director of community relations. "We are the neighborhood grocer, a part of the community. We know that the schools are always looking for additional funding for basic programs, as well as extra-curricular activities."

"Farmer Jack received more than 30,000 entries from over 615 Michigan and Toledo area schools. It just shows the great interest students have in their schools," Ward said.

In October, students from elementary schools were asked to color a Halloween scene and submit it for the sweepstakes drawing. The pictures were displayed in all Farmer Jack stores. The weekend before Halloween, Farmer Jack featured an in-store Halloween Trick or Treat event. Each store had fun activities for children including trick or treat stations and pumpkin decorating. On Halloween, one winner was drawn at each store for the $500 school prize. Student winners will receive a basket full of candy for their efforts.

From all of the 88 store winners, one grand prize winner was drawn. Kaiser Elementary School in Roseville was the recipient of the $500 plus an additional $6,000 grand prize. Mariah Mullins, a 10-year old fifth-grader, is the student whose Halloween scene was selected. Listed below is the local winner and his school.